text: In the 17th century, noble and wealthy citizens usually resorted to a medical doctor in case of illness, while the underprivileged layers of society would usually seek medical support from religious institutions. By the mid-century SantAnna likely had a high influx of patients: testimony thereof is the construction of a large wing dedicated to the preparation and dispensation of medicines, separate from the friars quarters.
  The oldest document mentioning the pharmacy, dated 1650, is stored at the Vatican Apostolic Archives. Another document, dated 1652 and stored in the archives of the Convent of SantAnna, shows that the chief chemist, brother Martino of Saint Anthony (1638–1721), would "go out every day to procure the ingredients for the medications [...], many patients came to him and not everyone could be healed in the same way [...], hence it was necessary to prepare different potions, medicines,and poultices"'.